WWE SmackDown recap & reaction (6/20)

Becky, Natalya, Tamina and Charlotte were all arguing outside Daniel Bryan’s office. Bryan told them that he wants to listen to what Carmella and James Ellsworth have to say about their actions at Money in the Bank. Bryan then walked away as the four Superstars continued to argue.

 


 

Carmella and James Ellsworth came down to the ring. They both had giant grins on their faces and Carmella instructed Ellsworth to bring her a microphone. Carmella raised the briefcase above her head as the crowd booed. Ellsworth demanded that the crowd stop booing and give it up for Miss Money in the Bank.

Carmella bragged about her name trending on social media for the past 48 hours. Carmella said that she doesn’t really care about the controversial way she won. Carmella claimed that she was not in WWE for girl power and has been overlooked ever since she got to the main roster. Carmella stated that she wasn’t worried about making history, she was making plans for her future.

Carmella brought up the time Kane helped Seth Rollins win the MITB contract and Sheamus won the contract because Bray Wyatt attacked Roman Reigns. Carmella then made fun of the internet trolls that tweeted to Daniel Bryan. The crowd booed and began to chant for the SmackDown GM. Carmella told the crowd to shut up and said that she is Miss Money in the Bank and there is not a damn thing anyone can do about it.

Reaction: I really liked Carmella’s promo to kick off the show. She gets virtually no reaction when she comes down to the ring. The best way to change that is to start insulting the fans. I wasn’t too upset that Ellsworth got involved in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match, simply because I figured that was going to happen. I was more angry about how lame the match was. It will be interesting to see what SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan will say later.

Charlotte and Daniel Bryan had a conversation backstage. Daniel Bryan said that he thought Carmella made some solid points. Charlotte disagreed and pleaded with Daniel Bryan to do the right thing. Daniel Bryan nodded his head and Charlotte walked away.

New Day cut a promo on The Usos. Footage of The Usos purposely getting counted out during the SmackDown Tag Team Championship match at Money in the Bank.

Big E vs Jimmy Uso

Jimmy controlled the match early. Big E battled back and connected with a couple of Belly to Belly Suplexes. Jimmy planted Big E with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Jimmy kicked Kofi in the head while he was standing near the ring apron. Big E went for the Big Ending but Jimmy avoided it and rolled out of the ring.

The Usos once again started to walk away but Kofi Kingston leaped off the steel steps onto Jey Uso. Jimmy then got back in the ring and was immediately hit with the Big Ending. After the match, New Day celebrated in the ring.

Winner: Big E

Daniel Bryan was on the phone with Shane McMahon but was interrupted by Natalya and Tamina. Natalya started sucking up to Bryan and gave him a happy belated Father’s Day. Natalya then started rambling about her cats and Tamina flipped out. Daniel Bryan said that he will have an official decision about the Carmella/Ellsworth controversy soon. Natalya then said “thank you” about 15 times to Daniel Bryan and walked away with Tamina.

Naomi was interviewed backstage about the Carmella MITB controversy. Naomi complained about Ellsworth being involved in the conclusion of that match and said that she hoped Daniel Bryan does the right thing. Lana then interrupted and challenged Naomi to a rematch. Naomi called Lana “thirsty” and said that she will give Lana her rematch next week.

Reaction: Lana and Naomi had a subpar match at Money in the Bank and for some reason we will see it again next week.

Tom Phillips interviewed Randy Orton earlier in the day. Orton said that he lost control when the Singh Brothers put their hands on his father. Orton stated that he cost himself the match. Randy claimed that Mahal crossed the line and that he is going to hurt Jinder Mahal. Orton claimed that he doesn’t care if ends Mahal’s career and that maybe he will travel to India and deliver RKOs to members of Mahal’s family.

Reaction: It is nice of WWE to decide to make this feud personal AFTER two title matches. It is dumbfounding that they waited until now to do this. I’m ready to move on from the Orton and Mahal feud. They pretty much had the same exact match at Backlash and Money in the Bank. I have no interest in seeing a third match between the two Superstars.

Dolph Ziggler vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Nakamura went for an Arm Bar early but Ziggler avoided it and rolled out of the ring. Ziggler got back in the ring and Nakamura knocked him to the mat with a series of kicks. Nakamura avoided a Dropkick from Ziggler but Dolph recovered and slammed Shinsuke into the ring post. Dolph then connected with a Dropkick for a two count. Ziggler raked his boot across Nakamura’s face and then raked his eyes across the top rope.

Dolph applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Nakamura got out of the hold and leaned against the top rope. Ziggler charged at him but Nakamura was ready and launched Ziggler out of the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Ziggler was once again in control of the match.

Nakamura connected with a knee and then followed it up with a kick and both Superstars fell to the mat. Ziggler and Nakamura got back to their feet and Dolph dragged Nakamura down by his hair. Ziggler then taunted Nakamura but Shinsuke connected with a series of kicks. Shinsuke perched Ziggler across the top rope and kneed him in the chest for a two count.

Nakamura went for the Kinshasa but Dolph avoided it and connected with a Fameasser for a two count. Ziggler went for a roll-up and Nakamura reversed it into a Triangle submission hold. Ziggler poked Nakamura in the eye and the referee didn’t see it. Nakamura went for the Exploder Suplex but Ziggler landed on his feet and hit the Zig Zag for a two count.

Ziggler immediately applied the Sleeper Hold in the middle of the ring. Nakamura battled out of the hold and connected with a headbutt. Nakamura followed that up with a kick to the back of Ziggler’s head. Shinsuke connected with the Kinshasa for the victory.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

Reaction: This match was entertaining. Both Ziggler and Nakamura are obviously terrific performers. Having said that, the match meant absolutely nothing. I’d like to see Nakamura get involved in a feud that means something and helps build him up. I’m sure WWE has something planned for Nakamura in the near future.

Daniel Bryan told Sami Zayn that he had match with Baron Corbin next week. Becky Lynch showed up and Zayn told her that he thought she got robbed at Money in the Bank. Becky called Ellsworth a snake and told Daniel Bryan that SmackDown doesn’t feel like the land of opportunity anymore. Becky once again asked Daniel Bryan to do the right thing and then walked away.

United States Champion Kevin Owens came down to the ring and complained about what happened to him during the MITB Ladder Match. Owens claimed that the other five Superstars in the ladder match conspired against him and agreed to attack him. Owens said that he was still the New Face of America and still the United States Champion. Owens stated that he is going to give someone from Dayton, Ohio a shot at the United States Championship.

AJ Styles came down to the entrance ramp with a microphone. Styles stormed down to the ring and said that he wanted a shot at the title. Owens said that he wanted to face a Superstar from Dayton, Ohio. Chad Gable from American Alpha came out and said that he just moved to Dayton this morning. AJ Styles instructed the timekeeper to ring the bell and Kevin Owens started complaining.

United States Championship Match: Kevin Owens (c) vs Chad Gable

The bell rang and Gable attacked Owens from behind as he was barking at Styles. Gable hit a couple of Suplexes early and applied the Ankle Lock on Owens. Owens was able to roll out of the ring and SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, AJ Styles had joined commentary for the match.

Owens was in control and beatdown Gable in the corner. Owens connected with a Senton for a two count. Owens started shouting at Styles at the announce table and Gable hit him with a Dropkick. Owens perched Gable up on the top rope and went for a Superplex. Gable blocked it, but Owens grabbed his leg and slung him to the mat.

Owens went for the Pop-Up Powerbomb but Gable blocked it. Gable connected with a Moonsault for a two count. Owens launched Gable into the turnbuckle and went for a Cannonball but Gable rolled out of the way. Gable planted Owens with a German Suplex for a two count. Owens then connected with a Pop-Up Powerbomb for the victory.

After the match, Styles and Owens shouted at each other.

Winner & Still United States Champion: Kevin Owens

Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley were backstage with Daniel Bryan. Ryder showed footage of his injury and said that they were still owed a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Daniel Bryan said that the Hype Bros will get their shot if they can defeat The Usos next week on SmackDown.

Tye Dillinger finally returned to SmackDown for a goofy Sonic commercial with Sami Zayn.

SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan came down to the ring. Bryan introduced all of the women in the MITB Ladder Match on Sunday. Bryan stated that MITB Ladder Matches are No DQ matches and that technically Carmella did nothing wrong on Sunday. Daniel Bryan got in Ellsworth’s face and said that there has never been an instance where someone climbed the ladder, unhooked the briefcase and handed it to someone else.

Ellsworth then called Daniel Bryan’s daughter a hippie and Bryan threatened Ellsworth. Bryan stated that if Ellsworth ever mentions his daughter again, he will punch him in the face and fire him. Everyone started arguing and finally Daniel Bryan spoke up. Daniel Bryan announced that next week they are going to have another Women’s MITB Ladder Match. Bryan then took the briefcase from Carmella and Ellsworth and walked away.

A brawl then broke out and Becky and Charlotte isolated Carmella in the ring. Charlotte hit the Natural Selection and then Becky applied the Dis-Arm-Her to Carmella.

Reaction: I guess the match at Money in the Bank never happened then. Carmella cut a  solid promo to kick off the show and then was made to look like an idiot 90 minutes later. I assume that Carmella will wind up winning next week’s match as well and hopefully on her own. This whole thing just feels cheap. Hopefully next week’s match will be great, but that doesn’t erase the fact that the ladder match at the PPV sucked.

Luke Harper vs Jinder Mahal

Harper connected with a Dropkick that knocked Mahal out of the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Harper was still in control. Harper went for a Suicide Dive but Mahal shoved one of the Singh Brothers in the way. Mahal then kneed Harper in the face and the action returned to the ring.

Mahal connected with a couple of knees to Harper and then posed in the ring. Harper connected with a Suplex and both Superstars fell to the mat. Harper connected with a boot to Mahal’s face for a two count. Harper followed it up with a Side Slam for a two count. Harper climbed to the top rope but Mahal met him up there. Jinder planted Harper with a Superplex and Baron Corbin’s music hit.

Corbin started walking towards the ring with the briefcase. Corbin circled the ring with the briefcase and then went backstage. Harper then went for a roll-up but Mahal kicked out at two. Harper connected with a kick but was then distracted by the Singh Brothers on the ring apron. Mahal then planted Harper with the Khallas for the victory.

After the match, Randy Orton came down to the entrance ramp. Orton beatdown the Singh Brothers and then went after Mahal in the ring. Mahal rolled out of the ring and Orton hit him with a Clothesline. Orton then slammed Mahal into the barricade and then planted him with a DDT off the barricade. Orton brought Jinder into the ring and the Singh Brothers attacked him from behind. Mahal rolled of the ring and escaped through the crowd. Orton planted both of the Singh Brothers with an RKO and stared at Mahal in the crowd.

Winner: Jinder Mahal

Reaction: I find Jinder Mahal to be rather boring in the ring. I was ready to move on from the Mahal and Orton feud. Unfortunately, it obviously is going to continue and at least things have gotten personal. I honestly cannot come up with a scenario where I will be excited for another match between Randy Orton and Mahal. I liked Corbin coming out with the briefcase and playing mind games with Mahal. It will be interesting to see what happens when Cena returns in a couple of weeks.

Overall, I wasn’t a fan of this week’s SmackDown. Fans seem to be split down the middle on social media about tonight’s episode. Some people are happy that there will be another Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match next week. I would have just preferred a better match at Sunday’s PPV, with a much better finish. Also, where the hell is Rusev?

What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Let us know in the comments below.

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